Gout is a common type of inflammatory arthritis caused by the increased levels of uric acid in your body. When your kidneys cannot excrete the excess uric acid from your body, it crystallizes and then accumulates in your joints, causing severe pain, inflammation, and swelling. For most people, gout symptoms only occur when the condition becomes severe. Since there is no cure, the gout treatment mainly aims at alleviating the side effects like pain, inflammation, and swelling.
Here are some of the common myths about gout.
Home Remedies Are Always Effective
It is commonly believed that home remedies can successfully prevent a gout attack. This is not true because there is no substitute for modern medicine, no matter how effective the home remedy is. A cure for gout is not found yet and therefore, the use of home remedies cannot completely treat gout. Even if you try home remedies, the risk of another gout attack does not go away. However, it is true that some lifestyle changes could help reduce the possibility of another gout attack. Also, some home remedies could help in reducing the pain and inflammation associated with gout.
Applying Ice Only Makes More Uric Acid Crystals
Uric acid crystallizes only when your body cannot excrete excess uric acid or when it stops dissolving into the bloodstream. Applying ice to the affected regions does not crystalize uric acid. When you apply ice to the affected joints, it helps in reducing the swelling and you will get temporary relief from the pain. Applying an ice pack is one of the easiest ways to manage gout pain.
Cherry Juice Can Prevent Gout Flares
Tart cherry juice is considered one of the most effective natural remedies for gout. The main problem is that the juice does not have the ability to reduce the uric acid levels in your body. Many studies looked at the proper dosage of cherry juice that could help in preventing gout flares. It was found that no amount of cherry juice could change the uric acid levels in the human body.
Only The Big Toe Is Affected
It is a common misconception that gout only affects the big toe. In reality, the uric acid crystals can accumulate in any joints in the body and cause severe pain and swellings. The fact that uric acid crystals commonly accumulate in the base of the big toe makes people believe that gout only affects the big toe. In fact, gout can affect your wrists, elbows, ankles, knees, etc.
